Rules
EMAC RULES at A GLANCE
(updated 04-14-26)
*Must compete in gender of birth
*No refunds! However if an exception is granted then 75% of the total fees paid will be applied as a credit towards the next EMAC tourney in the calendar year.
Weapons & Forms Scoring:
9.99 is 1st place, 9.98 is 2nd place, 9.97 is 3rd place, 9.96 is 4th place. All others 9.90-9.95
*2 competitors or Tie Breaker – Referees will call for show of hands
*There will be no
deduction for the weapon touching the floor. All competitors will perform, track
performance. Then bring back up for scoring. Cannot repeat your top 4 numbers.
*If Weapon dropped or fumbled, score with mistake as part of your scoring.
Criteria for Judging:
- Gymnastics, acrobatics, splits or other freestyle type movements not allowed.
Full uniform required. - Judging based on difficulty and execution.
- Flag Sparring 1 min rounds (can be one judge).
- You can’t hold your opponent. If one opponent goes down then the match stops until competitor gets back up. No wrists or finger locks. If a flag accidentally falls
out judge will put it back in and reset match. Whoever gets all 3 flags, or the most, by the end of time wins. If tie at end, sudden death.
- 2 min or 10 Point Spread whichever comes first.
- Face Shields Mandatory-except Adults then just Headgear required.
- All Kicks 2 Points, All Hands 1 Point, Jump Kicks to Head 3 Points. All parts of Head allowed, except bops to top of head, front and side torso. (ie. Hammerfist, or jump touch)
- There will be a 10 second time out for coaches in all age divisions.
- One Coach allowed to sit in chair and coach.
- Chest Protectors highly recommended for ages 17 and below. MMA gloves not allowed. Footgear must cover toes.
- Sweeps are allowed only to back of calf or below of the front leg followed by attempt to score.
- Trapping is allowed for 1 second followed by attempt to score.
- If two judges can’t agree on a 1 or 2 point for the same competitor then 1 point will be awarded.
- If no one in division; competitor will do an exhibition match agreed by referees.
- Uniform and belt required.
*In all Sparring divisions bowing out in the first round is a disqualification from the
division.
- Music required and must be provided by the competitor.
- 1 inversion required in CMX Forms and 1 inversion or release of weapon
required in CMX Weapons. Full uniform required. - Judging based on difficulty and execution.
- In CMX weapons judging also based on use manipulation & control of the
weapon.
- Padded Swords 1 min rounds.
- Must wear helmet and faceshield. Legs, arms, back, core/trunk, shoulder, and head (not eyes or throat) legal target areas. No groin.
- MUST have both hands on sword to score. No single hand grabs. All techs 1 pt.
Maximum points at end of time or 10 point spread.
- Juniors 17 and below: 1 round only– 1:00 min., Adults 18 and up 2 one minute round with 30 sec. rest period in between.
- Chest Protectors are MANDATORY for ages 9 & Below. Face shield mandatory for ages 17 and below. Adults headgear is required.
- Head/face contact is light. Kicks and punches allowed to head/face and front/side torso; except ages 17 and below. For ages 17 and below NO
HANDS TO HEAD. No leg kicks. - There will be a 10 second time out for coaches in all age divisions.
- One Coach allowed to sit in chair and coach.
- Winner will be determined by a show of hands at the end of time.
- Up to 3 hand strikes are allowed in a fury, then either a disengagement or
kicks required. Ref can/will separate. - MMA gloves not allowed. Footgear must cover toes.
- Winner will be determined be general ringmanship, strikes landed both kicks and hands, and aggressiveness.
- Uniform and belt required.
- NEW if center ref feels at any point the match is one sided or uncompetitive, they can call both referees and a majority decision can be
made stop the match and announce a winner.
- Safety first
- Double elimination. One 3 minute round submission only. If no submission,
then overtime first takedown wins. - Referee can call “tap” for competitor safety.
- Only above waist submissions allowed. No slams allowed.
- No neck cranks or pick up slams from guard.
- No throws on head allowed. Competitor will be disqualified for any
deliberate throws on head.
- In all Sparring divisions bowing out in the first round is a disqualification from the division. Referee can go straight to disqualification if needed.
- 2 technical fouls allowed per event to any person in the building. 2nd technical foul they are kicked out of the building.
- Protests: Protests can be requested up until awards are given out. Protests may or may not be granted. Usual protests are: weights verification, birth certificate verification, skill level verification, and points tabulation error. Judges/refs calls or non calls cannot be protested.
Code of Conduct/Instructor/Competitor/Coach/Spectator/Coach/Parent or other Participant
- All competitors will be held to the highest standard of excellence. There will be zero tolerance for unsafe or unsportsmanlike behavior.
- No Negative Coaching will be allowed at anytime
- No person may step into a ring unless their student or child is injured or invited by Center Referee.
- No acts of Vulgarity, Profanity, Violence or Extreme Outward displays of anger will be tolerated.
- Safety will be our first priority, excessive contact will not be allowed.
- Referee decisions are final. If you feel any rules have been violated, you can ask the center referee or ring coordinator for clarification.
- Competitors must have proper equipment and uniform as defined in the rules and subject to EMAC approval.
- Only competitors and officials are allowed on the competitor floor. Spectators are to remain seated in the stands so everyone can watch.
- Violations may be treated with disqualification from the division in which the person is competing in and possible Disqualification from the current and any future EMAC Event and or a request to leave the event. In extreme cases law enforcement will be called and charges pressed.
- Lastly, have a great attitude and support your fellow competitors. It’s a sport and have fun!